Filed under: Stores & Shopping, Food Gadgets, Spirit of Christmas

Except for Santa (and other gift-bringers), no one knows exactly what will be waiting under the Christmas tree tomorrow morning. I'm not one to want to ruin the surprise, so I don't shake boxes, trying to guess what is in each package, before they are ready to be opened. Instead, I'd rather think about some of the great gifts I got in previous years (as well as family, friends, world peace, etc.) and hope that this year will be similarly successful.

What are some of your kitchen highlights from past Christmases? And what are you hoping to find under the tree this year? Anything kitchen or cooking related is always welcome as far as I'm concerned, but a few new baking books wouldn't hurt, nor would some flavored salts, fancy vanilla extracts or other specialty ingredients. Last year, I really enjoyed my aebelskiver pan, a specialty pan for making little Danish pancakes, and a selection of coffee from Terroir.